How to Avoid Constipation in Children

Being constipated can be very painful for children of all ages, because at some point the body will need to expel the processed waste that has accumulated in the bowels. Sometimes a suppository has to be used but they should only be used occasionally. And this may not even help the problem. Dietary issues and food allergies are often the cause of constipation in children and can usually be avoided, although some medications can also cause constipation.

Instructions

1. Feed your child fruit and green or orange vegatables regularly to help prevent constipation.

2. Follow the food pyramid guidelines for how many servings of fruits, vegatables and juice you should be giving your child daily.

3. Try to replace any cakes and other types of sweet snacks you may normally feed your child (not infants or babies) with fruit or fruit cobblers.

4. When your doctor or pediatrician prescribes medication for your child, always ask if the medication could cause constipation. In these instances, give your child cranberry juice, prune juice or apple juice to drink during the day to help offset the effect of the medicine.

5. Feed your child cold or hot bran and oat cereals for breakfast. You can also give your child whole grain or oat and fruit breakfast or granola bars.

6. If your baby's diet has been expanded to include whole milk instead of formula and your child is experiencing daily constipation they might be lactose intolerant or have an allergy to milk. Check with your physician or peditrician to have them determine if an allergy exists. Putting a half teaspoon of the dark karo syrup or molasses in your baby's bottle or sippy cup with the milk will often alleviate the problem if they do not have a milk allergy and are not lactose intolerant.

Tips & Warnings

• Before changing your baby's diet make sure they are old enough to begin having fruit juices.

• Lactose intolerance, certain medications and milk allergies can cause severe constipation. If your baby or toddler is often constipated have your pediatrician rule out allergies.

• Take note of whether your child has had a bowel movement during the day. When changing your baby's diaper after a bowel movement, make sure the stool is soft and not a hard ball, or in small hard ball-shaped pieces.

• Avoid giving your child any kind of citrus or tomato juice as they are more acidy and could cause your baby or toddler to develop a diaper or similar rash that would burn the skin.